suisse wrote:The RWC comes across as a bag of shite in that article due to recent events. The article bypasses Asia. I'm going to see Korea v HK on Saturday. They're playing in some obscure Asian Tri-Nations RWC qualifier. Malaysia are the third Musketeer. From what I gather, the winner plays the Cook Islands to advance as some reprechage and after that, who the f%~k knows.

Winner of the Cook Islands v the Asian side joins Canada, the loser of the Samoa/European side playoff and the side who finish 2nd behind Namibia (probably) in African qualifiying in another round of games for the last spot in RWC 2019 and a spot in the group with New Zealand, South Africa, Italy and Namibia (probably!).

German Rugby Union reporting that Spain, Romania and Belgium have been deducted points for fielding ineligible players and are out of RWC 2019. Russia qualify automatically, going into Ireland's group with Germany and Portugal playing off to face Samoa. The winner of the Samoa playoff game will also go into Ireland's group.

So turns out Belgium had played 5 ineligible players over the 2017/18 Rugby Europe Championship which partly doubled up as the RWC 2019 qualifying event. All 5 had Belgian great grandparents, but not grandparents so could not play. They were fined £25,000/player.

Spain had 2 players who had been "captured". One played for France 20s v Wales 20s in 2008 and one in the same game in 2012. France and Wales were using the 20s as their next senior side in those years. They were also fined £25,000/player.

Romania had 1 player who had been "captured". Had previously played for the Tongan 7s side. They were fined £100,000/player as they are on the World Rugby Council.

Romania appealing on the basis that they followed all the correct procedures including contacting the Tonga Union (whose chairman is the father of Mako and Billy Vunipola) and being told that the player in question was free to play for Romania.

So Spain and Romania are appealing the decision re player eligibility.

Spain is appealing the decision of the independent Disputes Committee which: (i) decided that the match between Belgium versus Spain should not be replayed; and (ii) found that two ineligible players were fielded during the European Rugby World Cup 2019 qualification process.

“While admitting to a breach of World Rugby Regulation 8 relating to fielding an ineligible player who was previously captured by another union, Romania has confirmed that it is appealing the sanction,” read a statement from World Rugby.

Being heard on Friday. Germany and Portugal are due to play their playoff on June 16 to decide who faces Samoa in the 2 leg playoff for the RWC spot. 1st leg scheduled for June 30.

They are definitely playing against Germany in the RWC2019 qualifier and the President of Samoa has warned the players that if they lose to Germany they should resign from the Samoan team. It is two-leg Play-off and the first game takes place in Samoa on next Saturday 30th June.

The fact that he is also President of the Samoan Rugby Union appears to give him the authority to give this message directly to the players, whilst attending a Training Session this week

Re Ireland, the order is Scotland, Japan, Russia and say Samoa. If they do their job in games 1 and 2, can “rotate” in games 3 and 4.

Re the RWC in general, over the weekend it was Cook Islands 3-26 Hong Kong in the 1st leg and Kenya beat 45-36 Zimbabwe in the African section.

Looking like Canada, Germany, Hong Kong and Kenya in the repechage. Appears to be a draw for the one game semi final with world ranking dictating home advantage. Currently: 21 Canada 22 Hong Kong 28 Kenya 29 Germany.

leinsterforever wrote:I wouldn't be overly concerned about Samoa. Didn't Japan beat them 26-5 or something in the last World Cup?

As things stand, you're probably right - but who knows what might happen in terms of finances. A fully loaded, well coached, properly motivated Samoa side is a top 8 in the world side. Chances of that though...

leinsterforever wrote:I wouldn't be overly concerned about Samoa. Didn't Japan beat them 26-5 or something in the last World Cup?

As things stand, you're probably right - but who knows what might happen in terms of finances. A fully loaded, well coached, properly motivated Samoa side is a top 8 in the world side. Chances of that though...

It's not the ability to beat us, more their history of injuring opposition players